Lionel Messi's story with the Argentina national team included difficult moments, painful defeats in finals and even a brief international retirement, but ultimately developed into one of the most successful eras in the country's football history. Over the course of his international career, the captain won six titles representing Argentina when youth and Olympic honors are included.
Lionel Messi's Titles With the Argentina National Team
From the 2005 U-20 World Cup to the 2024 Copa América, Lionel Messi won six titles representing Argentina, including four with the senior national team.
U-20 World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist
In 2005, Messi emerged as one of Argentina's standout performers at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. Argentina defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final, with Messi converting both goals from the penalty spot.
He finished the tournament with six goals and won both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball as the competition's best player. It was his first title representing Argentina.
Three years later came another triumph. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Argentina won the men's football gold medal after defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final. Messi was part of the U-23 squad that secured Argentina's second consecutive Olympic football gold medal.
The Long-Awaited Copa América
Messi had to wait until 2021 to win his first major trophy with Argentina's senior team.
Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa América final at the Maracanã, ending a 28-year wait for a senior international title.
For Messi, it also ended a painful run of final defeats after finishing runner-up at the Copa América in 2007, 2015 and 2016, as well as at the 2014 World Cup.
Finalissima and World Cup Glory
The trophies continued in 2022. Argentina faced European champion Italy in the Finalissima at Wembley Stadium and produced a dominant 3-0 victory.
Months later came the biggest triumph of all. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Argentina defeated France after one of the greatest finals in tournament history. The match ended 3-3 before Argentina won 4-2 on penalties.
Messi scored twice in the final and finally lifted the World Cup, 36 years after Argentina's previous world title.
Back-to-Back Copa América Champion
Messi's final title with Argentina came at the 2024 Copa América in the United States.
Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the final thanks to Lautaro Martínez's extra-time goal, securing a second consecutive Copa América crown.
Messi therefore ended his international career with six titles representing Argentina: the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 2008 Olympic gold medal, 2021 and 2024 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima and 2022 FIFA World Cup. Of those six trophies, four came with Argentina's senior national team.
